What is a rag? Etymology and meaning of the word

The life of words is somewhat similar to human. Some enter our lexicon, serve for a while, and then go out of use, are forgotten, become "obsolete". That's how most people are: they were born, lasted their allotted time and went into oblivion, leaving no trace or memory behind. Other words, once appearing in speech, serve faithfully for whole epochs, remaining necessary and in demand for a huge period of years. Again, so are people who have done something useful and kind for others.

Two words about etymology

It would seem that what does the word "rags" have to do with these arguments? After all, this is the name of old rags, things, in fact, all sorts of junk. However, the token has taken root for a long time and has a wide scope of use. Its etymology is quite interesting. Firstly, "rags" is a derivative of the adjective "dilapidated", has common roots with it. The difference is only in the alternation of the sounds "tosh" and "th", which is explained by historical linguistic processes. In turn, "old" came to Russian from the Proto-Slavic language-the basis. Therefore, the word has analogues in the Old Russian, and in the Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Slovak, etc. language systems. But that's not all! "Rag" is a word with Proto-Indo-European roots, and similar lexical and phonetic formations exist in Old Lithuanian, Ancient Greek and Latin, as well as in Sanskrit. Their meaning is approximately the same: either "year", or "worn out", "old", "of little use". Thus, the variants of the meanings of modern Russian and already dead languages coincide. So, "rags" is a word that has existed since time immemorial, which in itself attracts the attention of linguists to it.

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Modern interpretation

In addition to the commonly used, the token also has a highly specialized meaning. It is associated with industrial processes of production and processing of raw materials. In the textile industries, when products are sent for recycling, cotton fabric is obtained, harsh, but sparsely woven, resembling gauze. This is the so-called cleaning rag. Its sphere of use is soaking liquids, wiping surfaces, including parts. With the help of a rag, dust and moisture, grease and oils, shavings and so on are removed. The production of such a fabric is considered very cheap, which is why it is so versatile.

Sewing

In the clothing industry, too, you can not do without such a fabric. However, its application is somewhat different. Hence, the meaning of the word "rag" also changes. This is a fabric that covers cotton wool or batting when warming winter coats and jackets, other outerwear. The main requirement for such rags is a 100% cotton composition, the absence of synthetic impurities and softness. It should be highly hygroscopic, not leave lint, have high wearability.

Grammatical indicators and lexical compatibility

"Rag" is a noun of real meaning. It belongs to the feminine gender, 3 declension, inanimate, common. In everyday speech, it has several lexical meanings. In addition to old rags, dilapidated, worn-out things, shabby, out-of-use clothes and scraps of material, this is what they call everything obsolete, outdated, retrograde ("Every inveterate, apolitical, unreasonable thinking must be eliminated from people's consciousness in order to give place to new, bright thoughts. Rags and shadows of the past have no place where plans for a new life should grow and expand"). However, the use of the word in this meaning is individually copyrighted. They also call last year's grass, leaves, and any garbage with this word. Common synonyms: "cleaning cloth", "junk", "junk", "rags". That's such an interesting word!

Scope of application

And finally, in detail about which type of rags is better to use in the household. If it is white, cotton, then it is perfect for absorption, it is convenient to wipe surfaces with it before painting. Terry cloth is indispensable for wet cleaning of premises: washing floors, dusting, etc. Flannel and colored cotton is useful when you need to clean something from oil and other fats. It is good for them to wipe polished and glass objects. Knitted colored rags are very soft. It is useful if you need to remove water or spilled oil. Sheet rags are a universal material, applicable both in everyday life and in production needs.